A 109-unit hotel with a new all-suite extended stay concept would be built on the site of the old Jumer's Lodge in Bettendorf if the developer gets a 10-year, 100 percent Tax Increment Financing (TIF) rebate from the city.

The new development would be anchored by a Home2 Suites by Hilton, an extended stay brand that offers a full kitchen in each unit, free breakfast and welcomes pets. Hilton has one other Home2 Suite hotel in Iowa located in Coralville.

Jumer's at Spruce Hills Drive and I-74 was a fixture in the city for more than 30 years, but it fell into disrepair after being sold and converted into The Lodge Hotel. The property was sold for back taxes three years ago, and the buyer, Jim Russell, had the structure demolished.

His limited liability corporation, CDCQC, LLC, that acquired the property is seeking approval of a development agreement for the old hotel site, plus adjacent property to the north. Under the proposed agreement, a restaurant or "retail component" on the property would required city approval.

"For avoidance of doubt, the city does not contemplate fast food-style restaurants or traditional strip mall-style businesses as TIF-eligible projects under this agreement," according to the development draft. The city will brief the county and school district officials on the proposed TIF this week and has scheduled a public hearing on the agreement for June 5.

According to the draft agreement, the value of the hotel property would be set at $642,000 while the additional adjacent property value base would be $499,000. Under a TIF, the incremental property taxes from the increased assessed value of the property ($642,000 and $499,000) once the development is completed would be rebated back to the developer each year for the 10-year period.

Eight months after the Bettendorf sports complex opened for business, the city has yet to determine how much developers will contribute to the $760,000 cost overrun for streets, sewers and storm water detention for the facility.

Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) has been ordered to pay $50 million in damages to settle a class action lawsuit over air pollution from its Muscatine corn-milling plant that harmed thousands of nearby residents.

Iowa District Court Judge John Telleen gave preliminary approval of the... more